Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

That motto has shaped Joel Foxworth's approach to his professional career.

Foxworth, 35, received his bachelor's degree in finance and his MBA from Lamar University, and is now Third Coast Bank's Beaumont market president.

"I am very fortunate as a banker and commercial lender in this area to help small businesses get started, grow and make an impact in the region," he said. "I love what I do and I hope it reflects in my attitude and performance. It is a true honor to serve my clients."

He also supports his community through his work at Third Coast Bank and said he hopes that all his activities reflect his desire for Southeast Texas to be a great place for families to live.

"We strive to be great corporate citizens through giving back and investing in our local community," he said. "We do this through a number of different channels, including things like our random acts of kindness we did in December by sharing in the holiday cheer by purchasing complete strangers gas, groceries and things of that sort here in the Golden Triangle."

Foxworth credits his family as his biggest support system, including his wife, Michelle; his parents, Claudia and Steven Foxworth; and all his siblings and in-laws. Other people who have helped him achieve his goals include his mentor and former bank president, Wilton White; business partners John Plake and Arnold Pierce; and countless other clients, friends and pastors.

Foxworth and his wife have two sons, Noah, 2, and Elijah, who is almost a year old.

"I love spending my free time with my family and friends. My wife and kids are the center of my whole world," he said. "We have a great church and some fantastic friends."

He also said his Cajun background means food is always a big part of whatever he is doing.

In Foxworth's free time he enjoys sports, hunting, fishing and the great outdoors - including building an award-winning RV park, Port Arthur RV Resort, with Plake and Pierce. Foxworth said it's one of the premier RV resorts on the Gulf Coast and one of his greatest accomplishments.

"I guess you can say whatever I'm doing, I look forward to having fun," he said.